Match Report  |  Belper Town vs Gresley FC

If you were unfortunate to have missed this game you missed arguably the best performance of the season so far from Gresley FC.

Gresley totally outplayed their neighbours for the majority of the game and the score-line could easily have been increased by another couple of goals in all honesty.

The game against a side from the league above and at Christchurch Meadow was, on paper, a difficult one as Gresley's away form has been inconsistent to say the least but to the delight of the travelling faithful it wasn't to be.

Gresley manager Wayne Thornhill made several promised changes with goalkeeper Alex Townsend replacing the departed Ross Atkins. Starts were also given to Sam Grice, Lucas Harrison, Rob Mulonga and defender Jake Carlisle also came into the starting line-up. Belper Town made just three changes to the side which drew at Trafford on Saturday.

On a very good surface but with a stiff swirling wind and rain falling Gresley began strongly with Ryan King skewing his shot wide of the far post. A corner from the right by Harrison gave Gresley another chance just two minutes later but Jamie Barrett's header was shovelled away at the base of his far post by James Martin.

The Nailer's first chance came on fifteen minutes but the viciously hit shot was well blocked by Townsend.

Gresley took the lead three minutes later. Luke Edwards over a fine low cross across the box for Mulonga waiting at the far post to slot home.

The visitors could have doubled their advantage a couple of minutes later but O'Connell fired his shot straight at Martin.

O'Connell was causing the Nailers' defence problems and after some more good work put a pass through to Ryan King but Martin made a fine block at his near post to deny the youngster.

Gresley's second goal was scored by the hardworking O'Connell as he burst through the middle of Belper's back line and although it took two attempts he finally smashed the ball past Martin.

Things got even better for the visitors as two minutes later they'd extended their advantage. O'Connell was once more involved slipping the ball to Mulonga who then hit a shot which Martin pushed onto the foot of the far post but the ball came back across the goal and went in off the near post.

Gresley ended the first half on top and could have made Belper's night even worse as O'Connell fed Jack Langston who cracked a shot but with the keeper on the floor it took a deflection which guided the ball into the prostrate Martin's arms.

Belper went close early in the second half but Townsend was alert to the danger parrying a well struck shot away. Aaron Pride then went close for the home side but his effort went wide of the mark.

Edwards' perseverance paid off as he grabbed Gresley's fourth goal. He made a determined run down the right cut in and curled a superb shot into the bottom far corner of the net.

Glynn Cotton fired wide for Belper before perhaps the best chance of the evening for the home side. Ashley Burbeary found himself through and in on goal but Townsend made himself big making a very good block.

Gresley's fifth goal came from a quick break. Belper were pressing but O'Connell intercepted a pace and raced forward picking out Mulonga on the right. He continued the run and then unselfishly returned the ball to O'Connell who had made his way into the middle of the area and the move was coolly completed with the ball slotted home.

Townsend once more denied Belper from getting on the score sheet. It was Burbeary again the unfortunate player as his header was turned round the far post by the keeper.

Both Edawards and Mulonga went close to adding to their tally for the night with Edwards having a goal bound shot deflected and from the resultant quickly taken corner from the left Mulonga was unlucky to see his low shot hit the base of the near post with Martin beaten.

Gresley were not to be denied again when the chance arose. O'Connell made a good move down the right and laid the ball back to Mulonga who cleverly stepped over the ball for Langston to hammer into the bottom far corner.

In time added on Belper was denied again from chalking a goal off but this time it was not Townsend who denied them but the woodwork as Aaron Pride's sweetly hit volley smacked the top of the bar.

Even if that shot had have hit the back of Gresley's net it would not have taken any of the gloss of what was a thoroughly hardworking, entertaining and fully deserved all round performance from the visitors.